The latest case-in-point came this past weekend during the annual Helping Hoops senior and junior boys tournament at Peacock, which saw a pair of local squads reach their respective championship finals.
In the senior draw, the Peacock Toilers won their first two contests over Humboldt and Estevan before facing the Weyburn Eagles in the championship final and dropping a 70-57 decision.
Things were close in the early going as Weyburn took a 15-11 lead out of the first quarter, but a 23-11 surge in the second would see them take control of things and lead 38-22 at the half. The Toilers made up ground in the second half but were unable to overcome the early deficit.
Dominick Mall led Peacock with 14 points, while Bryce Baumann scored 10 and Mac Simpson 11. Tensei Lida led Weyburn with 15 points.
The Vanier Vikings lost their opening match 70-65 to Norquay but rebounded with a 52-40 win over Balgonie Greenall in their consolation game. Caleb Newkirk and Brayden McLean each scored 13 points for the Vikings, who led 31-16 at the half against Greenall.
In junior boys action, the Central Cyclones took wins over Regina Johnson and Peacock before capping the event with the tournament title, defeating Weyburn 83-48 in the gold medal game.
Gerritt Gulutzan led Central with 24 points, while Max Simmons had a 20-point showing and Javin Boynton scored 16.
Peacock and Vanier won their junior openers over Balgonie Greenall and Estevan respectively before meeting in the third-place game, where the Toilers would go on to a 78-29 victory.
Mukungo Mutubazi scored 18 to lead Peacock, who led 17-4 after the first quarter and 45-14 at the half. Luke Andrews scored 15 and Josh Johnson added 10.
Jared Mana scored 11 to lead Vanier.
The tournament acts as a fundraiser for Riverside Mission, with the tournament host Toilers donating proceeds from the event to the local charity.
